Pollution ‘devastating’ China’s vital ecosystem, research shows

Pollution ‘devastating’ China’s vital ecosystem, research shows

A pioneering new international study, led by the University of Exeter, has looked at the true impact air pollutants have in impeding the local vegetation’s ability to absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere.

The study looked at the combined effects that surface ozone and aerosol particles – two of the primary atmospheric pollutants linked to public health and climate change – have on China’s plant communities’ ability to act as a carbon sink.

It found that ozone vegetation damage – which weakens leaf photosynthesis by oxidizing plant cells – far outweighs any positive impact aerosol particles may have in promoting carbon uptake by scattering sunlight and cooling temperatures.

Talks between Republicans across the political spectrum trying to reach a potential immigration deal that would unite the conference have reached a crossroads — and once again it has to do with citizenship.

ST PETERSBURG, Russia/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian aluminium producer Rusal has asked the Russian government to purchase some of its output, a government source said on Thursday, in an effort to alleviate the pain inflicted by U.S. sanctions.

(Reuters) - A Trump administration investigation of car and truck imports raised the threat on Thursday of renewed conflict over trade policy for an industry that thrives on stability and sent stocks in Asian and European automakers down.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Criminals have stolen about $1.2 billion in cryptocurrencies since the beginning of 2017, as bitcoin's popularity and the emergence of more than 1,500 digital tokens have put the spotlight on the unregulated sector, according to estimates from the Anti-Phishing Working Group released on Thursday.

(Reuters Health) - Sleep-tracking devices and mobile apps can help engage users in improving sleep health, but none of the consumer technologies has been proven accurate or validated to screen for sleep disorders, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine said in a new statement.

PARIS (Reuters) - The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) declared Brazil free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) with vaccination on Thursday, opening new export prospects for the world's largest beef exporter.

(Reuters) - Shares of Inogen Inc fell nearly 7 percent on Thursday after short seller Citron Research called the oxygen supply device maker the most expensive name in medical technology with no pipeline.

GENEVA (Reuters) - Two dying Ebola patients were spirited out of a Congo hospital by their relatives on motor-bikes, then taken to a prayer meeting with 50 other people, potentially exposing them all to the deadly virus, a senior aid worker said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - Recro Pharma's shares dropped more than 50 percent on Thursday after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to approve the drugmaker's non-opioid shot IV meloxicam, saying the pain-relieving effect did not meet expectations.